Quentin Tarantino is known not only for his exceptional work as a filmmaker but also for his keen eye as a film critic. He has been vocal about what he terms the ‘Marvel-ization of Hollywood.’ However, the acclaimed director harbors a profound admiration for one superhero film, Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns.
And his fondness for the iconic DC superhero extends into his work, notably in his 2004 martial arts film, Kill Bill: Volume 2. The brief monologue in the film provides Tarantino’s fascinating insight into Superman, highlighting why his take on the Man of Steel is truly worth considering.
Quentin Tarantino’s Unique Perspective on Superman
When it comes to superhero movies and comics, few characters have captured the collective imagination as profoundly as Superman. While opinions may differ, director Quentin Tarantino’s unique take on the Superman mythology provides a thought-provoking analysis that goes beyond the traditional superhero narrative in the Kill Bill: Volume 2 monologue.
“A staple of a superhero mythology is that there’s the superhero, and there’s the alter-ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spiderman is actually Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spiderman. And it’s in that characteristic Superman stands alone. Superman didn’t become Superman, Superman was born Superman”
The monologue further suggests that Superman immerses himself in the human experience, saying, “His alter ego is Clark Kent. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. He’s weak, unsure of himself, he’s a coward.” He also states that his costume is a reminder of his origins, however, the glasses and suit of Clark Kent represent the getup Superman dons to blend in among common people.
The filmmaker even draws parallels between Superman’s dual identity and the Kill Bill character Beatrix Kiddo, stating that she was “born Beatrix Kiddo” and every morning when she wakes up, she’d still be Beatrix Kiddo similar to Kal-El.
While many still argue against the approach presented in the monologue, Tarantino’s narrative resonates as it goes beyond the surface-level superhero narrative, intriguing audiences to rethink the iconic character in a way that emphasizes his connection with the very people he endeavors to protect.
David Carradine Shared the Story Behind the Monologue in Kill Bill: Volume 2
During an interview, the late actor David Carradine, who played the iconic role of Bill in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 2, shared the intriguing story behind the Superman monologue in the 2004 film. The actor recalled that during pre-production, he and the filmmaker had a discussion on Superman and superheroes in a cigar bar in Beijing.
The conversation resulted in a significant last-minute change to the film’s script. “Six days later, there was a re-write to the script. And there it was, in the movie,” he shared. Further in the interview, he highlighted the unpredictability of Tarantino’s creative process, saying, “Quentin is open to changing with the wind, and he did it with his writing right up until the very end.”
He revealed that the monologue underwent approximately five revisions, with the final changes taking place on the “day that I came in to do it.” The Superman monologue has since sparked extensive debates among fans, fueling ongoing discussions and varied perspectives on its significance in the cinematic narrative.
Kill Bill: Volume 2 is available on Prime Video.
